Shahanshah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi placed a crown on the head of his wife Farah, the first Shahbanu, or Empress formally crowned since Iran embraced Islam. Before an audience o diplomats and officials, the 2,500 year old nation staged its double coronation in October 26, 1967. 

He began his coronation address. 

"My sole aim in life is the constant improvement of the welfare of Iran and the Iranian nations." He avowed. "My deepest wish is to preserve the independence and soverignty of the country, to bring the Iranian nation up to the level of the most progressive and prosperous socieities of the world, and to renew the ancient grandeur of this historic land.". 

"In this task, as in the past, I will withhold nothing, not even my life". 

When the reporter asked him why he didn't crown himself sooner, he replied: " you have been all over Iran in the past few weeks" ," you have seen the problems my people face. You have seen our poverty. We are working to change those conditions, but it will not be done overnight". 

"I could not take pride in being crowned king of the nation such as we are today. But Iran will not stay like this. Our problems are big ones, but we have magnificicent natural resources. And our greatest natural resources is the Persian people". " Persians are artists. They are hard working. They can do anything if they have the proper equipment. We will give them the tools, and you will see miracles.". " I inherited a crown, before I put it on, I want to earn it".